Chapter 19; A Letter From Ketel

LEIGH

Sweat pooled on my forehead as I worked the old rag over the worn-out wooden counter of the rustic, dimly lit pub, scrubbing away the sticky ale stain.

It’s always like this every evening. The smell of ale thick in the air. Clean, serve. Engage in meaningless conversations with intense regulars who just want to talk about the weather to sneak a peek at my cleavage.

I’ve been working at the Glory Rivet for years now. While the routine fueled my determination to work well and earn good money, for the past three days, all I could think about was Arwyn's absence.

Arwyn was taken away to the palace. I can’t stop replaying that night in my head, merging it with the night my parents were taken away from me and Lilith.

Arwyn's leaving was less gruesome because she's still alive. My parents fought to stay with their children and lost their lives doing so. For all I know, Arwyn is probably living it up in the palace.

Has she made new friends? Is she excelling? Befriending a guy? No, she wo